Formula E is coming of age in season five – it’s no longer trying to copy Formula One, and that’s a good thing
- Changes to format and cars add to competitive chaos and create distinct feel
- Electric racing series more thrillingly unpredictable than ever heading into Hong Kong
Sitting high up in The Upper House Hotel last summer, Formula E founder Alejandro Agag was excitedly previewing the upcoming fifth season.
“We have a great line-up of drivers, second only to Formula One,” he told the South China Morning Post, after the additions of F1 stars Felipe Massa, Stoffel Vandoorne and Pascal Wehrlein. “Apart from that we are probably the best in the world.”
If anything has held Formula E back slightly since its inception five years ago, it’s a perceived attempt to try and measure up to F1.
But, four races into season five, the all-electric series is finally finding a niche of its own – because it has stopped playing copycat.
“This season has exceeded all expectations and we already had lofty ambitions,” Agag said. “Season five was meant to be the year that Formula E came of age, with the new car and new race format and it’s certainly done that.”
